INCAN SWEAT AND PIPE LODGES
Traditionally, sweat lodges are done for the purpose of cleansing, guidance, and healing as well as many other reasons. So this Incan Sweat Lodge is created. The Inca say in order for one to be free of those things of the past that have, for so long, shadowed our path, we must travel to the Lower World. This domain, known in the Quechua, the language of the Inca people, as the Hujupacha, holds those shadows for us until we are ready to retrieve them so that they may be
transformed, allowing us to be free of those things that were never ours. The transformation takes place by retrieving the shadows from the Hujupacha, taking them up to the Kaypacha, the Middle World, then to the Hanaqpacha, the Upper World. Through the guidance of the Mountains and the Fire, we are able to attain the Three Worlds, returning to the Kaypacha in a state of well-being and balance. We will begin the work by meeting together so that I can talk to you about the process of the Lodge
in more detail. Because this lodge is being held in the traditional way, there will be no charge. In the ancient way, when a lodge was to be held, the community would gift the medicine people for holding the sacred space for them.
The pipe has been used for centuries by shamans all over the world. Among its uses are cleansing, healing, journeying, and rite transmission. We will work with the preparation of the pipe and the tobacco before using them. Different pipes have different uses.
If you have more than one pipe, please bring them. While some may be used in cleansing work, others may only be used in rite transmission. The tobacco you bring should be pure - nothing with added flavors or scents. If you can get native tobacco, that would be ideal. However, if you do not have access to a store that sells native tobaccos, you can use more conventional tobaccos, as described above. No narcotics, please. You should bring pipe cleaners, something to hold your pipe in and its
ashes. If your pipes do not have pipe screens, you should get them. These are small wire mesh disks that fit in the bowl of your pipe and helps to prevent tobacco and ash from blocking the prevent tobacco and ash from blocking the stem. (Bring plenty of matches, too...)
IF YOU PLAN TO JOURNEY WITH US, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW...
- that fasting, at least 24 hours prior to the Lodge, is necessary. This means no alcohol, substance use, caffeine, meats of any kind, sugars, anything that will, in any way, limit you.
- that you should be well-rested. Once you have entered the Lodge, you may not leave until the work you have come to do is done. If it is absolutely necessary for you to leave the Lodge, you will be escorted from the Lodge. Once outside, it is important that you wait and not leave the grounds, as it will disrupt the work still going on.
- that you bring a bowl of food (no meats, please) to share with the community after the work is done and the lodge is closed. In this way, we, as a community, joyously celebrate the Gift of Life that we have received.
- that you wear loose, comfortable clothing. If you are comfortable with using a towel to cover yourself with instead of clothing, you may do so.
- that you bring something that you may sit or lay comfortably on.
- that you bring a flashligth, as the lodge may go into the evening.
- space in the lodge is limited to twelve people.
This work is for those who seriously wish to journey within to find the vision of True Self, bringing that vision to everyday life. This is not entertainment or something that should be taken without serious true intent.
If you are interested, please call Fran Longo-Russo at (732) 533-7276 or email her at fran@ayllusuyu.com.
"Throughout my childhood and as I got older, I always knew and felt there is something much greater than only what we can see. Other people told me what I said I saw and knew was not so. Although I began to doubt myself, I continued to know what I could not explain was true. Then I was blessed by meeting Fran Russo. Just like that, EVERYTHING made sense. My entire life made sense to me in one second. I have been a student of Fran's since 2001. I have completed the Medicine Wheel, had weekly private sessions, attended many workshops and healing circles. After completing the Medicine Wheel, I am continuing to grow, in my journey, as an apprentice."LisaRead more...